Susana Aikin - Epic Historical Romance During Bolshevik Revolution

Susana Aikin - Epic Historical Romance During Bolshevik Revolution

Born in Spain of an English father and a Spanish mother, Susana Aikin is a writer and a filmmaker who has lived and worked in New York City since 1982. She was educated in both England and Spain; studied law at the University of Madrid, and later Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. In 1986, she started her own independent film production company, Starfish Productions, producing and directing documentary films that won her multiple awards, including an American Film Institute grant, a Rockefeller Fellowship, and an Emmy Award in 1997. She started writing fiction full time in 2010. As our Author of the Day, Aikin tells us all about her latest book, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling.

Please give us a short introduction to what We Shall See the Sky Sparkling is about.

We Shall See the Sky Sparkling is an Edwardian tale of a talented young actress disinherited by her father, who reaches great artistic heights on the London stage, only to be betrayed and whirled into a romance with a Russian count with whom she absconds to faraway Siberia.

What inspired you to write an epic historical romance?

There was an ancestress on my paternal grandmother’s side that had a shady legend in the family, and whom I grew up fascinated about. She left her family to work in the theater and ended up traveling all the way to Russia and across Siberia- that was my first draw to write the novel. I really wanted to explore the life of a Victorian young woman who had traveled into the Far East through Russia and Siberia. I had also grown up reading pre-revolutionary Russian authors like Tolstoy, Turgenev, Dostoyevski, Chekhov, etc, and have always been interested in 19th century and turn of the century Russia.

Tell us about Lilly.  What makes her tick?

Lily is a Victorian ‘bad girl’ who follows her heart and pursues her passion for the theater, and has the courage to plunge into life and seek her path even if it leads to mistakes, and brings her to dangerous moments. Women like her are the pioneers of the modern women we so admire today.

You lived both in England and in Spain.  How has this influenced your writing?

I grew up in a bilingual family and attended schools in both England and Spain. I think it was simultaneously an immensely enriching experience, as well as a complicated one at times. I also think it is the reason behind my taking so long to write in earnest because it took me decades to integrate both languages and cultures in my brain. I think it adds lots of texture and insight to my writing.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I’m a meditator and a yoguini, a pro in holistic health, and I have an extensive background in filmmaking.

Class disparity is a central theme in this book. Why was this important to write about?

Class disparity is important in the novel because the freedom Lily acquires when she leaves home and gives up being a docile and obedient middle-class girl is, in part, the ability to navigate freely in society, and in the art and theater world, alongside all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Art and artists tend to break class boundaries because their work predicates on universal human tropes, and things like class, income, religion, race, etc. are relegated to circumstantial elements at best.

When working on a novel, how do you immerse yourself in the main characters' lives? Do you observe people in a certain culture, or do you try to walk in their shoes?

I find myself becoming completely and increasingly obsessed with my characters as I write, to the point where they feel real, and I can see them, the way they walk, sit, smile, scowl, etc.;I can even hear them talking or thinking aloud (all of this, of course, in my mind’s eye.) In short, I get to know them very well, and they seem to take on a life of their own. This means that many times it is they who dictate what they are going to do, or even what they refuse to do. Of course, I start off by doing a lot of research on the time period, and the type of persons they would be. I look at lots of pictures, films, I read books that I believe have similar characters, and then one day, they are there, perfectly formed in my mind. At that moment, I just put them in scenes and follow them around.

You write about some heavy themes—things that many of your readers have probably never experienced—yet it's very easy to identify with your characters. How do you make them so relatable?

I think most people go through very heavy things in their lives, the real stuff of high drama, although many times they don’t identify it as such, and just plow through as if it were another baffling stretch related to miserable times. In this sense, we are all unsung and undervalued heroes. But when we read stories where characters go through similar things, then we begin to recognize our own predicament, and are able to value it properly as part of our human experience. When, as a writer, you decide to humanize characters and give them enough depth, then readers identify with their experiences.

In this book you’re dealing with so many difficult themes – as a writer, do you feel a sense of responsibility? If so, how do you deal with this?

I do think writers have responsibility in what is being written and depicted in our work. After all, the community has given us a voice in the general culture, and needs us to speak candidly about things and use our shout outs to bring understanding as well as solace to readers. Of course, there is many ways of doing this—drama is one, but other genres, in particular comedy, can do this very effectively too.

If you had a book club, what would it be reading — and why?

There are so many amazing books out there… it is always difficult to choose. But a mixture of classical literature and contemporary would be on the agenda. After all, good writing is timeless.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like?

I get up early, make a big pot of tea, walk my dog around the block, and get back into bed where I write for 3 or 4 hours. I know it sounds sloth-like, but it works well for me.

Left: Me, hard at work.  Right: My ancestress, Gertrude Throop Cable, on whose story the novel is based.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on a novel about the American Lincoln Brigade of volunteers who went to Spain in 1936 to fight alongside the resistance against General Franco’s fascist troops, who, backed up by Hitler and Mussolini, had initiated a military coup against the democratically elected government. The story is told through a twenty-four year old American woman who joins the Medical Unit that follows the International Brigades along the front.

My website:

Twitter: @Susana_Aikin

Pat Dunlap Evans - Suspenseful Ride Through Dallas High Society
FEATURED AUTHOR - Pat Dunlap Evans was born in Michigan but "got to Texas as soon as I could." Her family lived in San Antonio and later Dallas, where she attended South Oak Cliff High School and Southern Methodist University. After marrying and having three children, Pat later completed bachelor's and master's degrees in English / Creative Writing at the University of Missouri branch in Kansas City, where her then-husband quarterbacked the Kansas City Chiefs. After a divorce, Pat stressed her way as a single… Read more


XXVII European Society for Rural Sociology Conference

Activiteit: Deelnemen aan een evenement of er een organiserenOrganisatie en deelname aan een congres

Charlotte Prové - Spreker

    Europe is facing multiple processes of change that affect the rural in many ways: demographic evolutions, migration flows, renewed urban-rural relations, the rise and fall of alternative food networks vis-à-vis the seeming omnipresence of powerful food consortia, the changing power of constituencies of the rural, changing patterns of land use and valorizations of natural resources, rapid technological developments, etc. These change processes do not occur in isolation, but are embedded in a package of often interrelated external meta-trends (such as climate change, geo-politics, global markets) that position rural spaces in broader dynamics and result in uneven processes of change. The European Society for Rural Sociology has explored many of these processes in former conferences.

    These uneven processes of rural change are interconnected and multi-level, involving multiple actors and governance approaches. They re-confirm the inadequacy of outdated concepts and dichotomies such as the urban-rural divide, the globalization-localization dichotomy or the disciplinary/academic segmentation of a complex reality. They are no longer able to capture the complex and systemic nature of today's Europe, its countryside and the ongoing processes of change. We can question how we (in our multiple roles as scientists, citizens, policy makers, members of the business community or NGO representatives) can deal with this.

    CongresXXVIIth European Society for Rural Sociology Conference
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    ID: 5514943


Namaste people!

view from the Nagarkot Tower

From Kathmandu with love….

” Namaste: an ancient Sanskrit greeting still in everyday use on the trail in the Nepal Himalaya. It means “I bow to the God within you”, or “The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you” beautiful!

Today, I want to share with you some amazing lessons from Nepal’s approach to conservation, climate change and people’s livelihoods.

We have heard a lot of stories about the conflicts between people and wildlife in buffer zones of protected areas. And how challenging it is to find good measures to  deal with this. In Nepal, small holders in rural communities see their staple crops affected by deers, wild rhinos, elephants, monkeys and climate change. For these communities, wildlife is a constant threat to their lives, food security and economy.  An innovative solution to increase communities’ resilience to climate change and to mitigate human-wildlife conflict  is the cultivation of crops that are not appealing to wildlife. Yes!   Communities here plant mint, lemon grass, chamomile and other aromatic plants to extract essential oils and export them abroad. Wild animals seem to not like these plants very much and they stay away from this kind of crops. Isn’t it great? People practice this in between the cultivation of their traditional crops such as rice, wheat and maize, so their food is secured as well.  The result at the end, is an opportunity for small holders to increase their resilience to climate change by having an alternative source of income, a reduction of the conflicts between wildlife and people, and an interesting approach to conservation in buffer zones. Maybe, this could be an innovative solution for a better management of buffer belts around protected areas. This is my lesson learnt from Nepal… 🙂

Business ideas for Conservation

Otonga Cloud Forest

I’ve been called ‘idealist” several times in my life, especially when the discussions are around business, consumption patterns and biodiversity conservation. BUT I do believe that there are different ways of doing business, different ways of consuming…and more important I do believe that business can enhance the protection of the natural environment and that consumers have the right and the power of choosing sustainable and ethical products. Here are some of my ideas of innovative business models that might work…

Wild orange marmalade from Otonga- My business innovation idea for the conservation of the Otonga Cloud Forest- part 1

In a nutshell, the idea is to sell the best wild orange marmalade to the best restaurant(s) in Quito. The chef will prepare the best dessert based on wild orange marmalade and row sugar from the Otonga Cloud forest. The best-informed clients  will attend the restaurant and pay a fair price for eating a delicious dessert that has a social and environmental purpose. The owner of the restaurant, will invest part of its revenues in the sustainability of its source of production (wild oranges + row sugar + local entrepreneurs of the area). Sounds good right?naranja agria

– The environment is seen as an opportunity for investment rather than as an externality.

– Profit for the marmalade producers and the restaurant.

– Low-income communities in Ecuador can improve their livelihoods by running social enterprises compatible with biodiversity conservation.

– Protection of the cloud forest in Ecuador

– Awareness rising among consumers in Quito

Who’s joining me in my start-up? 😉

‘While the rainforest is politically divided, the biome is one’ – Kakabadse

by: Miren Gutierrez, CDKN Global | on: 8am, June 11, 2015

Find the original version at CDKN website

Yolanda Kakabadse – the indefatigable defender of sustainability – is a former Ecuadorian Minister of Environment and the current International President of WWF. Kakabadse also founded CDKN alliance partner Fundacion Futuro Latinamericano, is a member of CDKN’s Network Council and has been involved in the Amazon Security initiative. In this interview with Miren Gutierrez, she explores the challenges facing Amazonian countries in managing this key resource.

You have been reported as saying that people, and more importantly decision-makers, pay more attention to sudden weather-related disasters than to biodiversity loss in Amazonian countries? Is that so? What can be done?

Sudden weather related disasters create a sense of urgency. They usually come along with casualties, people’s losing their housing and livelihoods, damaged infrastructure and many other impacts that affect a society’s dynamic. These events create commotion and the need for immediate government action; there is no discussion about the importance for decision-makers to pay close attention to weather disasters since they are becoming more frequent and intense with climate change. Implementing adaptation plans that reduce their population’s risk and vulnerability is a priority and action is needed now

The need to urgently tackle biodiversity loss is equally important. Yet, this issue seems to be a laggard in the government priority agenda. Most people do not realise the direct relation between biodiversity and our well-being. Biodiversity plays a key role in creating resilient ecosystems and providing vital services such as water, clean air and climate regulation. Additionally, for thousands of years, species have inspired our cultures and helped us build our identity. A world only inhabited by humans is unviable.Erotylidae- Yasuni National Park

The Stockholm Resilience Centre has identified 9 planetary boundaries within which humans can live safely. According to their studies, we have transgressed the biodiversity boundary to such point that we might be entering the sixth extinction phase in the planet. Sadly, humans drive this one. The latest Living Planet Report by WWF affirms that the state of the world’s biodiversity is worse than ever: during the last 40 years vertebrate species have halved. Most of these losses are occurring in the most biodiverse regions in the world. In the Amazon continent, the report showed an 83% loss of the species analyzed. So if you look at scientific evidence, you will see that it is truly dramatic what is happening with biodiversity and the ecosystems on which they depend; this destruction is one of the most important causes of the devastating sudden weather events we are experiencing. Unfortunately, we are still unable to feel the urgency and this inaction will bring irreversible consequences.

CDKN has reported a ‘human security crisis’ caused by climate change and ‘mismanagement of natural resources’ in the Amazon. As habitat destruction trends interact with climate change, the concern is that the Amazon will be caught up in a set of “feedback loops” that could dramatically speed up the pace of forest loss and degradation and bring the Amazon Biome to a point of no return, reports WWF. How are initiatives such as Amazon Security initiative going to contribute to improving the situation?

Climate change is the greatest challenge we will face in this century. Especially, because it will impact health, water, food and energy security and will increase vulnerability and risk for the region’s growing economies and populations. Climate change will transform the Amazon ecosystem. If climate impacts are not managed to avoid getting caught in a set of feedback loops, the transformation will be amplified until there is a point of no return. If we do nothing, climate change will bring devastating consequences and neither the Amazon nor the world will be as we know it. If we avoid this scenario and work together to build a resilient ecosystem, Amazonia can help us adapt better to climate change.

A rainforest not only stores carbon, it has a natural ability to regulate and stabilise the climate. Just imagine the power of Amazonia, the largest rainforest on Earth. Protecting the Amazon can protect the climate. yasuni 169In fact, that is precisely what the Amazon Vision seeks: to strengthen the Protected Areas Systems of Amazonia shared by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, in order to increase the ecosystem’s resilience to the effects of climate change and to maintain the provision of environmental goods and services benefiting biodiversity, local communities and economies. The Amazon Security agenda will contribute to tackling climate change since it intends to guarantee water, food, health, energy and of course, climate security throughout the Amazon biome.

What are the concrete obstacles right now to guarantee water security and protection in the Amazon? You have stressed the need to protect and guarantee access to water.

Water is the central and most important resource to guarantee health, energy and food security. A healthy water system is vital for providing clean drinking water, agricultural production and fishery, hydropower generation and regulation of water borne diseases. Water is the nexus that bounds everything. However, agriculture, cattle ranching and energy generation threaten water security through pollution and flow disruption. Hence, all securities are interdependent: If one of them is at risk, probably all of them are.

The Amazon is the largest river system in the world with more than 100.000 km of rivers and streams. The Amazon River on its own discharges an average of 6,300 km3 of water to the Atlantic Ocean annually, nearly 20% of global freshwater that flows into the oceans. Additionally, the rainforest releases 8 trillion tons of water vapor into the atmosphere each year and transports it thousands of kilometers away. Because of that, the Amazon plays a key role regulating the climate system around the continent.

In the midst of abundance, one would think that water security is not an issue but in fact, it is a serious one. Increasingly, water is facing more and more threats. Currently, more than 250 new hydropower dams are planned for the Amazon region. If they all go forward as planned, only three free-flowing tributaries of the Amazon River will remain, compromising the river network and the provision of ecosystem services to the societies and economies in the region. Besides, mining exploitation and pesticides from agriculture pollute the river system with heavy metals and toxins that are ingested by fish and later by humans. Furthermore, increased deforestation and land use change impact water availability since the forest recycles nearly 25% of the water it receives. All of these pressures are the main obstacles to guarantee water protection in the Amazon and hence, all other vital securities.

Specifically, how does the initiative recommend responding to extreme droughts that were once unthinkable in this region?

Extreme droughts that were once unthinkable in the region are now more frequent, intense and unpredictable. They are exacerbated by climate change and by the fact that the forest can no longer respond to this phenomenon and regenerate itself in the same way it used to. Future scenarios are less optimistic: it is projected that if warming trends continue, Amazonia will suffer from severe droughts every other year by 2025.

In the last decade the most severe droughts occurred in 2005 and 2010. During the first, 1.9 million km2 of the Brazilian Amazon were affected causing crop losses of 139 million USD, an 18.5% increase in healthcare costs due to more respiratory diseases and other environmental and social losses valued in 100 million USD. During the latter, 3 million km2 of rainforest were severely affected and economic losses were even worse. Forests fires increased dramatically (200% in 2010) accelerating forest degradation and leaving the Amazon even more vulnerable to mitigate the drought.

How to deal with extreme natural phenomenon such as droughts? Not difficult: protect the ecosystem so it can regenerate itself without fatigue. In order to do so, we must halt deforestation. Currently, the Amazon is the biggest deforestation front in the world and interventions are urgently needed to prevent a large-scale, irreversible ecological disaster. WWF estimates that 27 per cent of the Amazon biome will be without trees by 2030 if the current rate of deforestation continues. Without forest cover, droughts will increase and its devastating effects will worsen.

The majority of the Amazonian forest is contained within Brazil (60% of the rainforest), followed by Peru with 13%, Colombia with 10%, and with minor amounts in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Is this variety a political challenge? Is there a good level of cooperation between these countries? Do they share similar concerns or competing demands?

While the rainforest is politically divided, the biome is one. What happens in a country will have an impact in all Amazonia. Therefore, it is a common interest of all Amazonian nations to manage the rainforest sustainably since they have a joint dependence on its natural resources and a joint exposure to regional-scale risks.yasuni 152

We know that water, health, food and energy security are interdependent and that they are all vulnerable to what happens in nine different countries. This seems as a huge challenge. Actually, it is. However, it is also an opportunity to strengthen public policies at a regional level. The atmosphere, rivers, species are indifferent to political boundaries and that is why all nine countries must have a Pan-Amazon vision rather than a narrow country focused one. This means, sharing information to help informed decision making, mapping and monitoring areas where water, energy, food or health security are most vulnerable, creating a regional development agenda, strengthening protected areas systems, having common basin management policies and a joint zero net deforestation target, among others. Only by having a common and coherent agenda they will be able to overcome all the pressures the Amazon is facing and ensure the wellbeing of the region.

Climate change acting in combination with biodiversity loss has had social impacts already. One of the conclusions of a report called ‘Amazonia Security Agenda’, published by CDKN and Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano, is that ‘widespread inequity in Amazonia will be exacerbated by threats to the securities, and is likely to lead to increased social conflict unless addressed.’ Is there any plan to address this challenge?

A huge amount of wealth is being produced in the Amazon: oil extraction, mining, agriculture production, cattle ranching and hydropower produce billions of dollars in revenues annually. For instance, in 2012 Brazil received US$8.8 billion a year from iron extraction in the Pará state, Bolivia US$3.8 billion for natural gas and Ecuador US$8.9 billion for oil in 2010. Yet, little of that wealth stays in the Amazon. Ironically, in the land of plenty, local communities suffer from high insecurity. Despite being surrounded by water, few Amazonians have access to a proper water supply, treatment and a basic sanitation infrastructure. Hence, they are particularly vulnerable to pollution and to everything that comes along with it: disease, malnutrition, among others.

According to a report published by A Articulação Regional Amazônica (ARA) 60% of people in the Bolivian Amazon, 37% in Ecuador, 23% in Peru and 17% in Brazil were estimated to be below the extreme poverty line in 2011. Inequity and vulnerability will accentuate if increasing threats to food, health water and energy securities are not properly addressed. Changing this trend without shifting the development paradigm will be impossible. All Amazon countries should adopt policies that secure equal and sustainable access to food, water, energy and land. Indigenous consultation rights should be respected before approving a development project that will impact directly or indirectly their territories. According to the Amazon Environmental Information Network (RAISG), 11% of oil blocks and 18% of mining concessions overlapped recognised indigenous territories in 2012.

If these challenges are not taken serious at a local, national and regional level, land conflicts will increase, inequity will rise and the Amazon ecosystem will have to bear even more pressures affecting everyone who benefits from its services but especially the most vulnerable and poor.

This is a crucial year in the life on this planet: in December we will see the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris and the UN summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda in New York. What do you expect, realistically speaking?

We are witnessing a great and inevitable transition towards a sustainable development model. Indeed, 2015 will be a landmark year in this process. In September, countries will adopt the post-2015 development agenda and the sustainable development goals at the UN Summit. Three months later, Paris will host the Climate Change Conference (COP21) where a new global agreement will be signed. These two historic events will set a roadmap for that great transition.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals will set targets for governments and redirect public policies and investment towards accomplishing them. The same will occur with the new climate agreement. We expect the Paris agreement to set commitments ambitious enough to ensure we stay below 2ºC warming, the temperature limit for a safe climate future. It will send a clear message to all the stakeholders in the world: climate change is a top priority in the world and everyone must do its fair share to address this global problem. Governments must take seriously the path towards a low carbon economy, business must lower their emissions while becoming energy efficient, investors must divest from fossil fuels and civil society must engage and change their carbon intensive lifestyle. That is what I expect: for everyone to be aware that the world is changing and that we must take part in that inevitable transition.

Tiempos de ¨crisis¨

¨La única constante en la vida es el cambio¨-Heraclitus

¿Cuantas ¨crisis¨ han habido en tu vida? Pues resulta que  en mi vida, que va del 84 al 2015, he vivido en un mundo que ha  estado siempre en ¨crisis¨. La crisis petrolera de los 80, la bancaria del 98, la financiera del 2000, la crisis ambiental, la de la familia, y  ahora la crisis económica mundial desde el 2008 para nombrar algunas. Ufff! se me ocurre que  ¿quizás podríamos re pensar lo que entendemos por ¨crisis¨? o ¿quizás podríamos ser menos reacios al cambio y podríamos quitarnos esa pereza de adaptarnos a condiciones cambiantes? yo que he vivido en un mundo en ¨crisis¨he visto y participado de un montón de oportunidades para generar cambios positivos, para renovar, para evolucionar y con el tiempo logro ver más y nuevas oportunidades…

Si partimos del punto de que el cambio ocurre en nuestras vidas a todos los niveles y ocurre constantemente…se me ocurre que quizás sería una mejor idea construir sociedades y sistemas capaces de absorber los cambios y seguir en funcionamiento sin perder su identidad, es decir resilientes.

En el caso actual del Ecuador por ejemplo: la disminución de los precios del petroleo y el cobre ponen al Ecuador: EN CRISIS! PERO, esta disminución de los precios en el mercado global ponen en stand by a la explotación del ITT y los megaproyectos mineros porque ya no son rentables en el mercado!!! me pregunto, ¿es esta una crisis? o ¿una oportunidad para que opciones sostenibles y resilientes se propongan y apliquen en el país? pues creo que depende de la lectura que le demos al contexto.

Mi mensaje es que durante estos tiempos de ¨crisis¨a mi y a mi generación nos ha tocado adaptarnos, nos ha tocado aprender a tomar decisiones en tiempos de incertidumbre, nos a tocado ser creativos, innovadores nos ha tocado estar en una constante metamorfósis…y no necesariamente en ¨crisis¨…

Zygoptera de Argentina :) by Kristi Jarrell

Zygoptera de Argentina 🙂 by Kristi Jarrell

¿Vives fuera de tu presupuesto? para reflexionar…

Según, el Global Network Footprint, hoy 19 de agosto sobrepasamos el límite de regeneración natural de la Tierra para este año… es decir que el resto del año 2014 viviremos fuera de nuestro presupuesto natural… cada año esta fecha llega más temprano, 1 de octubre en el 2000 vs 19 de agosto en el 2014… para reflexionar no? 🙂 Busquemos ser más consecuentes con nuestro discurso y busquemos vivir de manera más sostenible.

Les comparto el artículo de el Global Network Footprint:

In less than 8 Months, Humanity exhausts Earth’s budget for the year

y el de la WWF al respecto:

In the red for the rest of 2014: today we exceed nature’s budget

Ilustración:  Alicia Franco

Ilustración: Alicia Franco

Ideas para la conservación de Otonga

¨El futuro no es lo que va a pasar, es lo que vamos a hacer¨– Jorge Luis Borges-

Todos lo días trato de ser lo más consecuente posible con esta idea de vivir de manera sostenible… busco ideas concretas y sencillas que pueda aplicarlas en mi día a día y así aportar desde mi realidad a construir un mundo más justo y más sano. Claro! que mejor si estas ideas pueden replicarse en otros espacios y ayudan también a conservar el Bosque Nublado de la Otonga 🙂 Aquí les cuento algunas buenas ideas que han sido exitosas en la conservación de la biodiversidad. Otonga

La primera se llama ARA: Acuerdos Recíprocos del Agua, una idea de Fundación Natura Bolivia que con varios otros socios han logrado replicar esta metodología en 5 países Latinoamericanos de manera exitosa. Es un método muy sencillo que busca que las comunidades localizada en la cuenca baja, inviertan en la conservación de sus fuentes de agua, cuenca arriba. El monto que invierten las comunidades cuenca abajo es utilizado por las comunidades cuenca arriba en procesos productivos compatibles con la biodiversidad. Por ejemplo, las comunidades cuenca abajo financian proyectos de reforestación, silvicultura, agroecología, apicultura etc.. en la cuenca alta, y de esta manera las comunidades tanto de arriba y de abajo se benefician.

Si esta idea la trasladamos a la Otonga… sería interesante acercarnos a la hidroeléctrica Toachi-Pilatón, por ejemplo, e ¨invitarlos¨ a invertir en la conservación de sus fuentes de agua. Quizás dentro de sus proyectos de responsabilidad social o compensación puedan invertir en re forestación y conservación del Bosque de Otonga y qué mejor si los podemos orientar en como hacerlo. O quizás un poco más ambicioso sería involucrar a los productores de ganado de la zona baja, y lograr que además de mejorar sus prácticas productivas, inviertan en el desarrollo de las comunidades río arriba y la conservación de la zona. Más ideas para trabajarlas… diversidad.

Otra idea super interesante que quería compartirla, la aprendí en el Perú… un amante de la gastronomía Peruana y la biodiversidad creo un circulo virtuoso de buen sabor 😉 Con la idea de conservar cultivos ancestrales y apoyar a comunidades rurales a mejorar su calidad de vida. Buscó en Lima, restaurantes muy renombrados y finos, y los invitó a invertir en la sostenibilidad de su fuente de producción. Cada restaurant, ¨adoptó¨ un producto ancestral (quinua, paiche, amaranto etc…) financiando a un productor o una comunidad productora. De esta manera el restaurant se asegura que su producto sea orgánico y de calidad; le asegura un mercado con precio justo al productor; concientiza y provee de nuevas opciones al consumidor y logra conservar la agrobiodiversidad de la zona 🙂 ¡buenísimo!

Regresando a la Otonga nuevamente… podríamos hacer algo similar con la panela, la leche, las frutas que se producen en la zona, y quien sabe y lograr que la uva de monte del Bosque de Otonga se venda en una torta deliciosa en algún restaurant de Quito…

Sigamos soñando, construyendo, compartiendo..

Community Resilience and Biodiversity conservation

I was lucky to co-facilitate the Second Dialogue on Finance for biodiversity of the Convention for Biological Diversity held in Quito, last 9-12 April 2014. A variety of national and international experiences in dealing with biodiversity and ecosystem services, including views from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, development agencies, social movements, farmer organizations, indigenous and local communities organizations, scientists and the private sector enriched the understanding about mechanisms to finance biodiversity.

In my opinion discussing the variety of mechanisms to finance biodiversity is necessary: taxes, compensations, offsets, paying for ecosystem services, all very interesting, BUT, are we really mainstreaming biodiversity in the development agenda? or are we just planning development at the expenses of biodiversity as usual? how can we make sure that the interconnections between biodiversity and human communities, are at the heart of all sustainability discussions? The reality is that the links between human beings and the nature we depend upon, are not yet respected and not even recognized as fundamental.

For me it is clear, biodiversity is life, and life on earth shapes all the environmental, social and economic process. Losing biodiversity means to weaken the basis for sustainable development by reducing ecosystems and community resilience, and the capacity for adaptive responses in a rapidly changing world. Biodiversity should be mainstreamed in all discussions of the new Sustainable Development Goals and the agenda post 2015. When we discuss about poverty eradication, food security, disaster risk management, health etc… we are intrinsically depending on biodiversity to meet these goals. Acting in biodiversity IS development!

Finally, how do I think we can contribute to biodiversity conservation?, well…inspiring, leading by example and INNOVATING! We need to get more creative in finance and legal mechanisms to make this happen. Many initiatives around the world have shown it is possible to preserve biodiversity and at the same time improve people´s livelihoods. Better application of  evidence and technology, working with others outside the environmental sectors, empowerment of local communities in decision making and good governance, private sector partnerships in financing biodiversity conservation are some examples of the things we can do.

“We are the first generation to understand the harmful impact of our lives and our actions on the planet. This knowledge comes with great responsibility that cannot be delegated to anyone. Everyone should take their own responsibility from the area where they work,” Christina Figueres


An analysis of the forming of the new relationships and the concept of having a friend

This became very visible to us when a close follower of a prominent leader we knew took on characteristics of the admired leader, even to the point of mimicking his speech patterns. Before these times, explorers and tribal leaders had to be able to read the body language of potential foes - to know whether to trust or defend or attack.

Body language - background and history Philosophers and scientists have connected human physical behaviour with meaning, mood and personality for thousands of years, but only in living memory has the study of body language become as sophisticated and detailed as it is today.

Moreno began systematic recording and analysis of social interaction in small groups, especially classrooms and work groups see sociometry. I spent about five years in the mental health system being treated like a chronically mentally ill person.

When a project output can be traced to the establishment of or improvement in a capability s that has a demonstrable impact on a value stream then this will motivate business stakeholders. As I look back now I am convinced that there was another woman whose memories were false.

Knowledge is more than knowing something technical.

Social network

The ancient roots of this concept demonstrate that while body language itself is a recently defined system of analysis, the notion of inferring human nature or character from facial expression is extremely old.

I began to have periods of severe anxiety and I was told these were probably "body memories" and "flashbacks. The Foundation gave my father much needed support which helped him not lose his mind thought the whole episode.

Are strangers a threat, because we do not know enough about them to predict their behavior? Interpersonal relationship between children and their parents, brother and sister, immediate family members or relatives revolve around trust, commitment and care. We express more warmth, and are more likely to disclose, and behave in a pleasant way.

This was not a conscious process on my part. Later as the child grows, other bonds are established with the father and other family members.

Exchange among strangers and in close communal relationships Exchange relationships also exist between strangers or in functional relationships at work. This sign is a red hexagram which geometrically and numerically translates into the number which under Rothschild instruction will end up on the Israeli flag some two centuries later.

It is curious, therefore, to note that one of the leading lights of the Octopus, according to writer Carol Marshall, was ultra-right-wing oil tycoon Clint Murchison, owner of the Dallas Cowboys football team.

Wisdom, for example, creates statistical software that is useful, rather than technically brilliant. Even the anticipation of interaction with others produce liking.

I am trying to deal with everyday life and trying to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. In the case of agency-directed networks these features also include reciprocitytriad significance profile TSP, see network motifand other features.

Isolated studies of body language appeared in more recent times, for example Francis Bacon in Advancement of Learning,explored gestures as reflection or extension of spoken communications. People are willing to give the normative correct responses to surveys, but hold private and subtler negative attitudes when it affects members of their own family.

This framework has the capacity to represent social-structural effects commonly observed in many human social networks, including general degree -based structural effects commonly observed in many human social networks as well as reciprocity and transitivityand at the node-level, homophily and attribute -based activity and popularity effects, as derived from explicit hypotheses about dependencies among network ties.

Individuals working together in the same organization. His second son Saloman Mayer, was sent to Vienna. How did the reconstruction of my childhood and supposed recovery of "past memories" occur in therapy?

How do we move from the initial encounter of liking to romance and love and lasting commitment? I no longer had to think or struggle. Finally, I recalled having been given an enema as a child. Some research Perlman, however, shows that teenagers and young adults suffer most from isolation.

One concern arises out of the teleological conception of action, implicit in consequentialism, according to which actions are understood in terms of their ends or purposes.

Intimate relationship

As the years go by it is more and more difficult to continue with friendships that when we were young we thought would last forever. Similarity in physical attractiveness affects relationship satisfaction White, However, these recent changes have not removed fully the historical gender preferences.

They were not lies, but facts as clear as this paper. Capitalist societies rely on market pricing relationships, and increasingly we are seeing similar relationships in current and formerly socialist countries. For those describing falling in love, reciprocal liking and attractiveness were mentioned with high frequency.

Further, our relationships help form our self-concept chapter 2 and our most significant behaviors. The king issued bonds as a debt obligation to Rothschild to be paid by future taxes on British citizens. A novel which he later wrote quickly became a bestseller.

However, the average person probably does not evaluate attraction to others on such a calculating basis.Interpersonal Relationship between a man and a woman A strong interpersonal relationship between a man and a woman leads to friendship, love and finally ends in marriage.

A sense of commitment is essential in marriages and love affairs. An interpersonal relationship is a strong, deep, or close association or acquaintance between two or more people that may range in duration from brief to enduring. This association may be based on inference, love, solidarity, support, regular business interactions, or some other type.

The EPA’s decision conflicts with a March report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer that found that glyphosate “probably” contributes to non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans and classified it as a ‘Group 2A’ carcinogen.

Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science Eli J. Finkel1, meet new people” (, ). Presumably that that forming relationships using their services is superior to dating offline.

The Web site for eHarmony, for example, asserts that the services the site offers “deliver more. Start studying Sociology Midterm. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. a. new relationships of less than one-year duration.

Kate delights in male partner having emotional/sexual relationships with other women. The term to describe this phenomenon is.

Jul 24,  · As I think back on the past 24 years of providing couples counseling for gay male relationships, I sometimes get asked what the differences.

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Cleveland Personal Injury Law Blog

Brain injuries—more common in car crashes than in sports

No doubt you have seen a football player helped off the field after a blow to his head. The diagnosis is usually a concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury that seems all too common in sports.

However, did you know that motor vehicle crashes and falls are the most frequent causes of TBI? Would you recognize this kind of injury if it happened to you?

An overview of the Ohio workers' compensation program

Those who have worked for any length of time already know that workers' compensation provides financial benefits after a work injury. The existence of the program gives Ohio workers comfort because they know that help is available in the wake of an on-the-job injury. However, knowing about workers' compensation is not the same as understanding how it works.

For example, benefits do not automatically kick in after an injury. You must first make a formal injury report with your employer and then file an official claim before you begin receiving your benefits. Because some injury symptoms do not manifest right away, you have two years from the date of your injury to file your claim.

What if both drivers share the blame in a motor vehicle accident?

Most of the time, driving safely and abiding by traffic laws can prevent motor vehicle accidents. Other times, even seemingly safe driving habits cannot prevent crashes. Still other times, both motorists may share responsibility for a wreck, although one of them may not realize that they have played a role in the collision. Take a look at the following example of shared accident responsibility.

You are approaching an intersection and apply your brakes. The motorist behind you is driving too fast and crashes into the back of your car, leaving you with severe neck and back injuries. An accident investigation reveals that the other driver was intoxicated and driving over the speed limit when the accident occurred. However, it also reveals that your brake lights did not function at the time of the crash and the other driver did not realize you were stopping.

Ohio construction worker killed in hit-and-run accident

Most who work in the construction industry understand that it can be a dangerous line of employment. However, few of these workers expect to suffer injury or death from a private motorist. Unfortunately, these kinds of construction accidents injure and kill many Ohio workers employed in this industry each year.

A recent incident occurring in Brook Park, a suburb of Cleveland, led to the death of a 61-year-old construction worker. An additional worker suffered injuries in the vehicle-related construction accident.

Dwarf benefits can supplement disability and workers' comp

In truth, it is not dwarf benefits; it is DWRF benefits and it can make all the difference for Ohio workers brought down by a workplace injury. An acronym for Disabled Workers' Relief Fund, DWRF can supplement your workers' compensation benefits if an on-the-job injury results in a permanent disability. It can also supplement Social Security Disability (SSD) payments as well.

We have found that many victims of a work-related permanent disability have no idea that a program like DWRF exists. This is probably because these benefits begin automatically, as long as you qualify for them financially. You will not need to apply for them as you do when seeking workers' compensation. A representative will review your disability claim and if you meet the qualifications, you will receive a notification that you are eligible for DWRF.

Good driving habits that lower your risk of a collision

Every day, car accidents happen all around Ohio with some being more severe than others. One recent collision in Austintown resulted in a driver having to go to the hospital with serious injuries while the other vehicle sped off in a hit-and-run.

It is impossible to avoid every single car crash that happens in the state. However, if drivers are just a little bit more vigilant, then the number can go down substantially. It is vital for all drivers in Ohio to practice safe driving habits to lower their risk of ending up in a car crash. Anyone who does not presently follow these actions should start soon.

Why do fires plague active Ohio construction sites?

To many, it seems unusual that a fire could begin in an active and busy construction site. With so many workers present, it is reasonable to believe fires are preventable. However, fires continue to plague many active work sites in the Cleveland area and often result in injurious construction accidents. Understanding how and why these blazes occur is the first step in implementing an effective fire prevention plan.

This post contains information explaining why fires occur during construction projects. Even if your supervisor does nothing to address the risks, this information can raise your awareness about fire hazards. In turn, you will be better equipped to avoid construction accident injuries if a blaze does occur.

Does Ohio have a law that bans texting while driving?

Like most states, Ohio does have laws in place that prohibit texting while operating a vehicle. While these statutes should help reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents that occur in the state, they only work when motorists obey them. Unfortunately, many people choose to disregard the law, leading to severe accidents.

You should also know that these laws are not simple, cookie-cutter rules to follow. Statutes like these are comprehensive and work to ban different types of activities that can take a driver's attention away from the road. In Ohio, motorists may not legally engage in the following activities while driving.

  • Writing, sending or reading text messages on a handheld device (cell phone, tablet, etc.)
  • Using a laptop computer while operating a vehicle
  • Operating a handheld personal digital assistant
  • Using mobile technology that requires the use of one or more hands

Don't give up on proving that distraction caused your crash

Unfortunately, Ohio residents are all too familiar with motor vehicles caused by distracted driving. According to one article, 52 fatalities and 508 serious injuries occurred in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving in 2018 alone. Even worse, the statistics surrounding these incidents show an increase in distracted driving accidents in recent years.

Our attorneys believe that those affected by distracted driving crashes deserve justice. The problem for many victims is proving that the other driver's distracted actions behind the wheel led to the accident. We want to share with you how you and your legal counsel can prove distracted driving.


Filters Panel

Trackpoint Filter
Selects the positions that build up the track
Fix type
No Fix: The device logged a position but did not have a fix. Usually unselected.
SPS: Standard Positioning Service. The accuracy of the signal may be degraded to 100 m via Selective Availability. S.A. was turned OFF on May 1st, 2000.
DGPS: Differential GPS.
Correction of the GPS coordinates by applying an offset identified by fixed position receivers. Supposed to be more precise when differential data is used.
PPS: Precise Positioning Service.
"Military" signal with high accuracy (< 10 m) - encryption only known to military
RTK: Real Time Kinematic.
Sat system used in RTK mode with fixed integers
FRTK: Float Real Time Kinematic.
Sat system used in RTK mode with floating integers
Estimate: The position is an estimation by the device. The position is usually not very precise. Also called 'dead reckoning'
Manual: Manual entry of the position. No known usage in the existing devices.
Sim: Simulator value. No known usage in existing devices.
Log Reason
Why the position was recorded.
Time: The time condition was reached. The previous position was logged more than the programmed number of seconds earlier.
Speed: The speed condition was reached. The speed was higher than the limit.
Distance: The distance conditions was reached. The measured distance was over the limit. This is not the direct line distance to the previous position!
Button: The position was logged because the user requested so by pressing the device button.
User *: Extra waypoint types can be logged through an application (like BT747). This list will be shortened later on. Currently selects the bit in the user field that has to be active.
Common Filter
Filter specification used for both waypoints and trackpoints.
Activate Common Filter When not active, the common filter is not used (and the menu items are grayed out.
*DOP: HDOP, VDOP and PDOP are related to the position accuracy. The smaller the value, the more accurate the position. It is recommended to log the HDOP value with each position and define the limit as 1.98.
HDOP: Horizontal precision
VDOP: Vertical precision.
PDOP: Positional precision.
rec nbr: Limits for the record number. This can help you to select only a part of the log.
distance: Limits for the distance field in a position record.
speed: Limits for the speed logged with a position.
NSAT: Minimum number of satelites in use needed. Also a method to select only precise positions (select at least 4 or 5 satellites)
Waypoint Filter
Select positions that will be used as waypoints - they are usually shown as icons with detailed position information.
The meaning of the filter settings is the same as for the trackpoint filter.

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How To Become A Songwriter

A songwriter writes the songs that singers, bands and other performers will sing. You could find yourself writing the melody and lyrics of songs or you may also be asked to come up with the tracks that back the music, whether it is for the keyboards, guitars or drums.

You are also expected to know how to play these musical instruments. Since your income will hinge largely on your capacity to produce music that will top the charts, the songs you will create must be patronized commercially. This entails knowing the tunes and lyrics that will be loved by the public.

As a songwriter, you will also be spending a good part of your time recording demos. You will be submitting these demos to music producers and/or singers who might want to buy your material and record it, usually as part of their album. If you are a singer songwriter, you will not only be writing your own songs but recording and performing them as well. Whether you work solely as a songwriter or as a singer songwriter, meeting with music producers and other executives of the music industry is part and parcel of your job.

Like many songwriters, your earnings will come mainly from the royalties derived when people buy the song that a music producer or publisher bought from you for another performer to sing. You are essentially a freelancer. If you happen to work in cities like Nashville where the staff writer culture for songwriters is the norm, you will be working a 9 to 5 job in the office of a song publisher. That means you will be paid monthly for writing songs.

Although it may sound like a regular salary, this monthly payment is actually drawn against the future royalties that will be earned by your song. Once the song you’ve written starts to earn, the producer will first get back his investment before allowing you to earn more royalties. The good thing about songwriters who sign a staff writing deal with a music publisher is that they don’t have to worry about how to pay the bills and can concentrate solely on their craft as a songwriter.

To succeed as a songwriter, you need to be genuinely interested in music. You should also have the technical knowledge needed to write lyrics and put melodies to it. You should also be able to work long hours and be dedicated to the craft. Business savvy is also a must since you need to be able to market your songs effectively to music industry executives so you can earn money.

Why Become A Songwriter

A career as a songwriter is for those who are really dedicated to writing songs. This is well-suited for those who are willing to work hard and persist in marketing their songs to music producers and singers in this highly-competitive industry.

Although establishing a reputation as a songwriter can be difficult at first, it only takes a single hit to earn the big bucks and propel one’s name to the top of the charts and become a sought-after professional in the field.

Songwriter Work Environment

Songwriters who are hired as staff writers for a music publisher report to work in their offices just like any 9-to-5 job. They write songs or collaborate with other songwriters in writing the songs. Songwriters who aren’t connected to any music label but work as freelancers decide when and where they will work.

They may do their recordings in their own studios at home or they may be found in the studio of a music publisher after their song has been bought. Freelance songwriters may have to do more legwork in terms of meeting with singers, producers and publishers in the music industry who might be interested in their music.

Songwriter Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data specifically for songwriters. Data from private research firms peg their average earnings in the vicinity of $40,000 a year. However, those who are new to the industry may not earn a lot and may even have to find another job to support themselves while they are honing their craft.

For songwriters who are fortunate enough to have their songs turn out to become hits, earning a million dollars including royalties is very possible.

Songwriter Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have career projections specifically for songwriters. However, it does forecast that the job outlook for musicians and singers in general, the category which includes songwriters, is good. The employment rate for this occupational category for the ten-year period covering 2012 to 2022 is pegged at five percent, a rate that is slower than the national average for all job types. Songwriters will continue to be in demand to produce chart-topping hits that will earn money for music producers.

Songwriter Degree

There are no strict postsecondary degree requirements for a career as a songwriter. However, songwriters can hone their songwriting skills by taking songwriting programs that lead to degrees or by attending workshops or classes. While not mandatory, these also serve as avenues for songwriters to know teachers and other professionals who could help them get their foot in the industry later on.

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TORONTO - Shares of Toronto-based Entertainment One Ltd. soared more than 30 per cent after it struck a deal to be acquired by American toy giant Hasbro Inc. for US$4-billion.

EOne shares gained about 1.42 British pounds or 31.94 per cent to 5.85 pounds on the London Stock Exchange.

The boost came after Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro announced Thursday it would pay roughly 3.3-billion pounds or 5.60 pounds per common share to acquire the company that brought kids the popular cartoon Peppa Pig.

The share's closing price Friday already surpassed the acquisition offer, and traded as high as 6.16 pounds on Friday.

EOne produces several animated kids' shows, including Peppa Pig, and Hasbro says the deal would help it turn more of its toy brands into shows or movies, as well as significantly expand its Canadian presence.

EOne's Canadian TV and film operations would continue as a distinct Canadian-controlled business within the combined entity, and some of eOne's executives have agreed to join Hasbro.


Stardates Explained - 20181127.1900

You don't understand the startdates?

Take, for example, 20181127.1900

Let me stick some spaces in some helpful places:

2018 11 27 . 19 00

That better?

20181127 means 27th November 2018, and 1900 is in 24-hour clock format, IE 7:00PM

Stardates in the Star Trek universe work in an entirely different way. Wikipedia has a good explanation on how they work.

Events on this stardate


<![CDATA[Modesto Legal BLog]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2013-03-21:/blog/83112 2019-11-29T14:27:43Z Movable Type Enterprise <![CDATA[Overview of spousal support in California]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3865211 2019-11-29T14:28:43Z 2019-11-29T14:27:43Z Like other states, California has laws that allow a spouse to ask for spousal or partner support, also often referred to as alimony, during a divorce. Alimony usually involves the court ordering one spouse to make some sort of regular payment to the other spouse for the other spouse's financial support.

Under California law, alimony is also available following the annulment of a marriage and after a permanent legal separation. Those who have obtained a domestic violence restraining order may also obtain alimony.

]]> Spousal support is very important for a person who is going to need some additional financial support at the end of their relationship.

Moreover, it really is a matter of justice, as there are many relationships in which one person has the tools to move on and continue to earn a high income, while the other person will probably struggle despite their best efforts.

However, figuring out how much spousal support a person will receive can be a complicated affair. For permanent alimony orders, California courts do not use a mathematical formula to calculate them. Instead, they rely on a number of legal factors, including how long the relationship lasted, each party's economic circumstances both before and after the split and the job skills that each spouse possesses.

Likewise, whether one of the spouses was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of the other spouse or contributed to the education or professional development of the other spouse may also play into a judge's decision about alimony.

Not surprisingly, a lot of the factors judges use to determine spousal support depend heavily on the couple's facts and circumstances. As such, it will be important for a Modesto resident with an alimony question to seek out the advice and experience of a family law attorney.

<![CDATA[The validity of your marriage may affect your immigration plans]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3864435 2019-11-26T16:21:34Z 2019-11-26T16:20:34Z Many people in California have unique ways of defining their relationships. For some, it is important to have a formal ceremony to officially united them. Others may reject the idea of needing a piece of paper to confirm their relationship. Still, others may push the boundaries of conventional marriage in other ways.

However, for those wishing to enter the United States through the immigration system, especially by obtaining a green card through marriage, having a validly recognized marriage is essential. If you are seeking lawful permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you will want to be certain your union is legal to avoid any complications during the process.

]]> Is my marriage legal?

You may believe your love is a strong enough bond for you, but the government wants something more before it will consider approving your application for permanent residency. Immigration agents will agree that your marriage is legal if it meets the following conditions:

  • You and your spouse married for genuine reasons and not merely so that you could obtain a green card. Immigration officials do thorough investigations to determine whether a couple is trying to commit fraud by marrying simply to obtain permanent residence status.
  • The country where you married, whether the U.S. or elsewhere, recognizes your marriage as legal and valid. This may include common law marriages as long as the country where you married acknowledges such unions as valid.
  • You and your spouse were not related prior to your marriage even if your country's laws allow marriage to relatives.
  • Neither you nor your spouse has other spouses from which you are not divorced even if multiple marriages are legal in your home country and even if the other spouses are not immigrating to the U.S.

In addition to these qualifications for a legal marriage, your efforts to gain lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. may be in vain if your spouse is not a citizen, either native or naturalized, or a green card holder. However, even if you meet all the above requirements, you are likely to face trials and frustrations since the immigration process is notoriously complex.

To maximize your chances of successfully obtaining a green card, you would be wise to seek the assistance of a California attorney who is devoted to helping those with immigration challenges. Your legal advisor can walk you through the process and advocate for you along the way.

<![CDATA[Proving a Social Security case requires medical evidence]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3860355 2019-11-14T20:08:24Z 2019-11-14T20:07:24Z Many people in Modesto and the greater Bay Area may unexpectedly find themselves unable to work because of an illness or an injury. When this happens, it will be very important for these Californians to find other sources of income and support. One source of support is Social Security Disability benefits.

Our law office helps California residents in our area file for Social Security Disability benefits when they are eligible to do so.

]]> Even when a person seems to have a good case for receiving these monthly payments from the Social Security Administration, it is often the case that his or her initial application gets denied. In such situations, we can assist with their pursuing a review hearing with an administrative law judge.

One of the most important steps in this process is for an applicant to pursue appropriate professional care for his or her condition and to follow all treatment recommendations. This is not only simply a good idea for one's own health and well-being but also a good resource for obtaining documentation about the person's medical condition.

After all, the Social Security Administration will rarely just take a person's word for it that he or she is legally disabled. Instead, administrative law judges and officials with the Administration are going to expect to see medical records and other information which both document a person's condition and explain how it prevents the person from returning to gainful employment.

It is therefore important for a person to choose a legal representative who has a solid understanding of both medical terminology and what sort of information can best explain the full extent of a person's condition.

<![CDATA[Grounds for deportation due to criminal acts]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3855740 2019-10-31T19:27:42Z 2019-10-31T19:26:42Z One of the most common reasons immigrants get deported is because they are convicted of a crime. A criminal conviction can lead to the deportation even of someone who holds a green card and thus has permission to stay in the United States indefinitely.

Fortunately, not every criminal conviction can lead to deportation proceedings. For instance, most misdemeanor convictions will not cause deportation.

]]> The most serious offenses in immigration law, and thus the ones most likely to lead to permanent expulsion from the United States, are called aggravated felonies. Not surprisingly, many of these offenses can also land a person in prison for years or even decades. However, this is not always the case.

For instance, certain domestic violence offenses may qualify as aggravated felonies, as can a so-called process crime like obstruction of justice or even a failure to appear in court. While any domestic violence offense is grounds for deportation, in some cases, a defense to deportation may be available

Another area where immigrants in the Modesto area may be at risk of deportation pertains to drug convictions.

Except for certain low-level marijuana offenses, just about any conviction for illegal drugs, including unlawfully procured prescription medication and common party drugs, can lead to a deportation. In fact, deportation is possible if one is a habitual drug abuser, even if he or she manages to avoid criminal conviction. Again, a defense to deportation may be available.

Finally, so-called crimes of moral turpitude, which can cover a range of criminal offenses, can also lead to deportation. What is or is not a crime of moral turpitude can be up for debate, but the crime must carry the possibility of a sentence of at least one year, although it need not be a felony. As with other types of deportable offenses, a defense to deportation may be available.

An immigrant facing deportation because of a criminal conviction should strongly consider speaking with an experienced immigration attorney.

<![CDATA[The warning signs that someone is hiding assets]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3848408 2019-10-17T15:22:25Z 2019-10-17T15:21:25Z The process of divorce or legal separation is designed to be as fair to both sides as possible. In California, this means that each person should receive one half of their community property, that is, property acquired during the marriage. However, the rules only work so long as both spouses are fair, which means that they are honest and open about what they own and owe.

Sadly, whether out of fear of financial insecurity or because of anger, many people choose instead to try to hide some of their assets that they would otherwise need to share with their spouses. A spouse who is not aware of the family finances or is not familiar with the legal and financial system is particularly prone to falling victim to these tricks. The best thing Modesto residents can do to protect themselves is to familiarize themselves with the family's property, debts and income. Even well before a divorce or separation, they should also be closely involved in all significant financial decisions.

]]> Also, they should be aware of certain warnings signs that the other person is trying to hide assets or get them out of reach in a divorce. Warning signs can include things like a sudden gift to a family member or friend, or even a mysterious promissory note showing that the spouse owes money to a relative or acquaintance.

However, once a divorce or separation begins, it may be important to "discover," that is, formally request, a copy of all tax returns, especially if one's spouse owns a business. These documents frequently have useful information about the whereabouts of hidden assets, as people tend to be less likely to lie to the federal government than to their spouses.

<![CDATA[Suing the government requires special legal handling]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3840009 2019-10-03T14:39:46Z 2019-10-03T14:38:46Z As this blog has discussed on previous occasions, residents of Modesto who suffer an injury because of someone else's negligence have the right to recover compensation. Victims will usually apply compensation from a personal injury lawsuit to their medical bills, lost wages and the like.

Sometimes, however, a Californian is injured on public property or is injured due to the negligence of a public employee. In such cases, residents can still sue for negligence and recover compensation from the government. However, special rules apply.

]]> For instance, to file suit against a California agency or a local subdivision, a person must first file an official claim against the government. Generally speaking, the person must provide specific information about the claim and must also file the claim within six months of the incident.

Likewise, if a person has a potential lawsuit against the federal government, then they will have to follow the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act. Like California's laws, the federal law requires a person to properly file a claim for compensation within a specific time frame prior to suing.

Following the rules about suing the government is critically important. For a number of reasons, the failure to meet these requirements can lead to the permanent dismissal of a California resident's claim. This, in turn, means that an injured victim may not get compensation after an accident, even if the accident was caused by another's negligence.

For this reason, victims of accidents on government property or involving government employees should strongly consider having their cases evaluated by an experienced legal professional.

<![CDATA[How will divorce impact your real estate?]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3839674 2019-10-02T13:51:34Z 2019-10-02T13:50:34Z Your divorce will change your life in many ways. It's a stressful, emotionally complex process, and the choices you make during this time will impact your life for years to come. It is in your interests to think clearly about things and to keep your focus on what will be best long-term. This will keep you from making emotional or irrational decisions that will not be good for your future.

One of the most important concerns you may have is what will happen to your family home. You may not want to move, but can you afford to keep the house? Can you maintain the house and pay for upkeep expenses on your income alone? These are important questions that can help you determine the best way forward during your divorce.

]]> Important considerations for your house

One of the most important factors for what will happen to your home are property laws in the state. California is a community property state, which means that if you and your spouse cannot settle this issue out of court, these laws will determine what happens next. Community property encompasses all marital property, which may also include your home. This means that you will have to share a 50-50 split of any proceeds from selling your home.

Some couples are able to negotiate a reasonable agreement on the issue of the family home. For example, you may be able to keep the home, but you may have to take less retirement savings or give up your claim to spousal support. It's easy to make a rash decision in these situations, but it is in your interests to consider everything from taxes to utility costs when deciding if you really want to keep the home.

What about your mortgage?

You may be wondering what, exactly, is going to happen to your mortgage when you go through a divorce. In many cases, the couple will have to sell the home and pay off the mortgage. If one spouse wants to keep the home, he or she may have to buy out the other spouse's share and take over the payments.

Dealing with the family home is one of the most complex issues of a divorce. If you are thinking about your options and deciding what is best, you may want to consider speaking with an attorney about your legal options. It is prudent to seek an honest assessment of your case and a clear explanation of what will happen to your home.

<![CDATA[Parental relocation and family law]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3833106 2019-09-20T13:42:32Z 2019-09-20T13:41:33Z California parents who want to travel out of state or, especially, move to another state or country will need to first look over their child custody and parenting time orders.

A parent contemplating a move or even travel to another jurisdiction, especially a foreign country, should speak to an attorney with experience handling family law matters.

]]> When parents have child custody and child support orders in place, a California court generally must approve parental relocation. Whether the court will approve the move or not depends largely on the specifics of the situation and the orders.

If a parent has sole legal custody, he or she may be able to relocate without getting the approval of the other parent, unless of course the court order says something different. The other parent can only stop the move by showing the move would actually cause harm to the child.

On the other hand, when parents have joint legal custody, then the parent wanting to move will have to show the move is in the best interests of the children.

Doing so can be a tricky affair, particularly if a parent is planning to move a great distance away from the other parent or is intending to return to his or her home country.

On a related point, many if not most parents will be expected to have the other parent's permission before traveling to another state, especially if the travel is also going to involve crossing international borders or will mean that one parent will not get his or her parenting time. If a parent does not give this permission, the parent who wants to travel may have to get a court order allowing the trip.

<![CDATA[California sees an increase in drunk driving deaths]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3824401 2019-09-06T03:08:33Z 2019-09-06T03:07:33Z According to recent statistics, the number of drunk driving accidents in California has increased despite stepped up law enforcement efforts and many public awareness campaigns. The study determined that in 2000, 987 people died at the hands of drunk drivers on California's roads. By 2017, the number had increased to 1,120.

Overall, the fatality rate rose about 13.5% in California, making it the fourth largest increase across the country. Perhaps more disturbingly, California was only one of six states to see an increase in fatality rates over the last two decades. Across the country, the fatality rate, on average, decreased 18%.

]]> California is not especially lax when it comes to keeping drunk drivers off the streets. One organization ranked California as a state that is slightly tougher on drunk drivers than average. For its part, the California Highway Patrol reported more than 140 sobriety checkpoints in 2018 alone.

Overall, officers arrested about 66,000 California motorists on suspicion of drunk driving in 2018, which was 4% higher than the number of arrests last year. The California Highway Patrol also indicated that they frequently participate in nationwide campaigns aimed at discouraging drunk driving. These efforts will be given particular attention in the upcoming weeks as college students return to campus.

For whatever reason, though, it seems that many drivers in Modesto and other California communities just aren't getting the message that drunk driving is a very dangerous behavior. Fortunately, victims of drunk driving accidents, and their families, can seek to hold motorists who use alcohol irresponsibly fully accountable for the injuries they cause through personal injury lawsuits. In some cases, victims may even be able to obtain punitive damages.

<![CDATA[Helping accident victims through the legal system]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3814690 2019-08-22T14:28:55Z 2019-08-22T14:27:55Z The aftermath of a serious car accident can be devastating for just about anyone. In addition to recovering from significant or even debilitating physical injuries, a victim may also have to try to figure out how to support herself financially, as she may no longer be able to work. Moreover, an accident also takes an emotional toll both on the victim and his family. To add to these issues, California's legal system can be hard to understand, particularly for those who are immigrants to this country and thus may not be as familiar with the way the law works.

Making matters worse, getting compensation after a car accident will likely mean dealing with insurance companies. Doing so can prove to be difficult, especially if the company is unwilling to pay for all of the expenses and losses to which the victim is entitled. It can be easy to get lost in the large bureaucracy of an insurance company that, ultimately, has the one goal of turning a profit.

]]> Our law office is equipped to help victims of all kinds of car accidents. We have represented clients after pedestrian or bicycle accidents as well as victims of accidents in which the other vehicle involved was a large truck or other commercial vehicle. Many of our clients have been victims of drunk or distracted drivers.

While we will try to negotiate fair compensation as efficiently as possible, sometimes it may be necessary for us to advocate for our personal injury clients at a trial. In some cases, we are also able to help our clients apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. No two cases are alike, though, which is why those in the Modesto, San Jose, and Stockton areas may want to consult with a legal professional to better determine their best course of action.

<![CDATA[There are some ways to cut disability wait times]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3807945 2019-08-08T20:01:33Z 2019-08-08T20:00:33Z Many residents of the Modesto area have probably heard stories about how long it takes for the Social Security Administration to finally award disability benefits to a Californian who needs them. Many deserving applicants get denied at the first stages of the process, and this means that they will have to wait months or even years for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. In the interim, the person will have to find other means of supporting himself or herself through a debilitating illness or injury, assuming of course that they live long enough to have a hearing.

At least some members of Congress are trying to address the problem. For example, there is a proposal to budget $300 million to the Social Security Administration so that they can reduce the time it takes to have a denial of benefits reviewed.

]]> In some situations, a disability attorney may also be able to take steps that could reduce an applicant's wait time for a review of their Social Security Disability benefits. For example, should a person face the possibility of losing critical medical care or his or her home while awaiting a review of their application, he or she may be able to use what is called a dire need letter to effectively move to the front of the line.

In other cases, having a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge may not be strictly necessary. An attorney could therefore ask for what is called an on the record review. In an on the record review, the Administrative Law Judge will make a decision based on the existing evidence and will not hold a hearing. While this tends to speed things up, the drawback is that an applicant does not have an opportunity to tell his or her story to a live person.

Pursing disability benefits can be challenging, especially when an individual has to find a way to get by on a day-to-day basis while he or she waits for claim determination. By being fully prepared with strong evidence and competent legal arguments, and by utilizing some of the tactics mentioned above, disabled individuals may be able to increase their chances of success and speed up the claims process.

<![CDATA[Expedited approval may get you disability benefits faster]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3807261 2019-08-07T21:01:34Z 2019-08-07T21:00:34Z Dealing with a disabling condition may involve a lot of frustrating waiting. You sit in waiting rooms for your medical appointments. You wait in line for prescriptions. You wait for the results of your tests and lab work. If your condition prevents you from working, you can expect a long wait between applying for Social Security Disability and receiving word of your approval for benefits. If the Social Security Administration approves your application, you still must wait five months or longer before your payments begin.

Fortunately, certain medical conditions qualify for rapid approval, which could significantly reduce the time you must wait for benefits. Although you do not have to take any special steps for expedited acceptance, it may help to understand how the program works so you will know when it is appropriate to fight for your rights.

]]> Qualifying for compassionate allowance

The SSA's compassionate allowance program lists over 200 conditions eligible for shorter processing times. Like other medical conditions, these prevent you from working to earn a living, and they are potentially fatal. Because this second factor is more probable in some conditions listed for compassionate allowance, the agency fast-tracks applications for expedited approval. Instead of waiting months to learn if the SSA has approved your application for disability benefits, you may learn in just a few days. The SSA's computer system identifies applicants with any of the following claims:

  • Fast-moving or terminal cancer
  • A disease of the immune system
  • Rare genetic disorders, such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or "brittle bone disease"
  • Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Huntington's disease
  • A move to hospice care
  • A veteran disabled while actively serving
  • Blindness or deafness
  • An infant with low birth-weight
  • An amputation
  • Danger of losing your home

If you qualify for expedited approval, you will still have to wait the prescribed time before your benefit payments begin. However, this may be months earlier than typical because the approval period is much shorter.

Since qualifying for compassionate allowance depends on the information you include in your application, you will want your application to be thorough as possible. You may find this a challenge if you are struggling each day to cope with your illness or condition. Many in your situation find that taking advantage of available resources can improve the chances of success. This includes the skills and experience of a California attorney.

<![CDATA[California girl dies in apparent electric shock drowning case]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3797350 2019-07-25T18:40:34Z 2019-07-25T18:39:34Z A 10-year-old girl who lived near Sacramento died in what authorities believe was an electric shock drowning.

The girl was swimming in her family's pool when she apparently underwent a low-voltage electric shock. While it was not clear whether the voltage actually killed the girl, it did prevent her from being able to swim, which caused an accidental drowning.

]]> While this marks close to 100 reported incidents of electric shock drownings, experts say that many other incidents, including non-fatal injury accidents, go unreported.

Electric shock drowning is a risk whenever there is an electrical current within or close to a body of water, like a swimming pool, or a pond or lake. Electric current can come from a pool's equipment, from a marina or even from a passing boat. Particularly in fresh water, if not properly contained, this current can run right through a swimmer, causing a shock severe enough to paralyze a person and cause drowning.

When it comes to electric shock drowning, a little prevention can go a long way. For instance, owners of pools should have a qualified electrician check out their pool equipment and wiring to make sure it is in proper working order. Likewise, deteriorating caulk around electrical components in a pool can cause electrical current to flow through the water.

Those who own boats or marinas must also make sure that their equipment is in good working order. Generally speaking, well-maintained electrical equipment and wiring will not leak electrical current.

Someone in the Modesto area who suffers from an electric shock drowning or a near-drowning may have legal options available to them. One may, for instance, choose to file a personal injury case.

<![CDATA[We offer a range of family law services]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3787985 2019-07-11T14:10:29Z 2019-07-11T14:09:29Z Family law touches a lot of issues that can affect the lives of California residents. For instance, couples in Modesto may get involved in a divorce or other type of separation. In other cases, a couple may have never been in a legal union, but does have a child in common.

Under these circumstances, the couple may need help coming up with ground rules for custody, child support and parenting time. Going through a family law legal proceeding can be quite confusing and even overwhelming, particularly for people who are not often involved in the legal system. The process can be even more nerve-wracking when there is a lot at stake in terms of property or, especially, one's relationship with his or her child.

]]> On a related point, immigrants who are going through a divorce face special legal issues, which could affect their ability to remain in the United States lawfully. Having the advice and representation of an experienced attorney is particularly important for such individuals.

However, anyone who is facing a family law issue will at some point have important decisions to make that could affect them for years or even decades to come. For instance, someone who winds up making a poor choice when dividing up community property can find himself or herself financially disadvantaged and without a lot of options.

Moreover, while custody and parenting time can be reviewed down the road, a parent can still face an uphill battle trying to straighten out a bad legal result. For this reason, our law office encourages those who are dealing with divorces or other family law issues out the services of an experienced attorney. In this respect, our office prides itself on its careful preparation and advocacy on behalf of our clients.

<![CDATA[We offer representation in immigration appeals]]> tag:www.jnguyenlaw.com,2019:/blog//83112.3779581 2019-06-27T14:32:00Z 2019-06-27T14:31:00Z Many people in Modesto and the surrounding California communities in the Sacramento Valley may have recently had to submit a petition or some other request to this country's immigration authorities.

The stakes are often very high with respect to these petitions, as the outcome could be the difference between being allowed to stay in the United States legally and having to leave the country.

]]> It is therefore no wonder that when residents receive word that their immigration petition has been denied, they may experience a sense of panic and may not know what to do. This is particularly true if they filed their petition on their own.

Although a denial is certainly concerning, it is not the end of one's legal options. Appeals in immigration cases are allowed, although there are important time restrictions within which one must start the process of submitting an appeal. This is one reason why it is so important for those who have had an unfavorable outcome in an immigration matter to speak with an experienced attorney right away.

Our office's first step is to make sure that our clients understand exactly why their request has been denied. After that, we can help evaluate our client's legal options so that he or she can make the decision that is in his or her best interests.

Generally speaking, someone facing an adverse immigration decision can choose either to ask the authorities to reconsider their original decision or ask them to reopen the case so that the person can present additional evidence that the immigration court did not have originally.

As a certified immigration specialist, the attorney at our office has helped immigrants from all parts of the world with their important legal matters concerning their status in this country.


The Warrior, #3

This is the third book in a unique urban fantasy. The main character is a teenager with big ideas and leaderships skills. She, however, sees herself as a medium warrior and not very pretty. However, she attracts male attention wherever she goes. This story is fast paced, filled with violence and a well hidden twist that will change everything. The world developed is detailed and complex. There are vampires, werewolves, teenage fighters and a society made up of warriors and non-warriors. The characters are well thought out with each having a distinct personality and characteristics. The story can be emotional and intense. Seldom is there anything to laugh out. In fact, you’re never sure if characters are even going to live! Betrayal happens and there is even a mad scientist. Once I started reading, I had to read more. This story will bring you into a different world and you’re not going to want to stop until the end.

As stated, this is the third book in the series. It starts by jumping in where the last book left off. However, it would be possible to follow this book without having read the previous two. It would be better if you read from the beginning.

Rachel is thrilled to be back home and that her boyfriend, Jason, and his werewolf pack are in the area. She still doesn’t understand why Jason has to do everything his father wants, just because he’s the pack alpha. Rachel is also a bit depressed that she had to kill her former boyfriend, Chad, when he turned into a vampire. To get back at the vampires, Rachel decides to go after them where they live. She talks her dad into teaching how to make bombs. Soon, other young warriors have joined her. But, suddenly everything is falling apart again. Jason leaves and she is in trouble. Now what?

Book Blurb for Subversive

Rachel Clancy should never be counted out. She's a fighter and fighters never quit. Her destiny is to lead in a world filled with vampires and werewolves--void of romance and flowers. In charge of a secret revolution that could change her home forever, she's forced to battle and vanquish any threat to her friends and family. But no matter how many times she's won, the evil that threatens her never forgets her name.

Life is a continuous battle that never ends.

Especially for Rachel...

Night Owl Reviews Oct, 2015 4.50


On July 12, 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a brief stating they are investigating recent case reports of a type of canine heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in dogs not genetically predisposed to the disease. The brief cited a theory that some dogs with DCM may have been fed certain types of diets, and that further research was being undertaken to determine if that theory had merit. That research is expected to take several years and has not been completed. The agency issued an update on its investigation on February 19, 2019 and June 27, 2019.

Members of the Pet Food Institute (PFI) are committed to the production of safe, nutritionally balanced pet food and are working closely together with internal experts, including company scientists, veterinarians and nutritionists, to advance the understanding of this issue and support a collaborative approach with FDA. Below, we provide answers to some questions that pet lovers may have about DCM and their dog’s diet. Click here for a downloadable version.

What is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)?

DCM is a specific type of heart disease that in dogs results in an enlarged heart and can be serious if left untreated. Some dog breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher, the Great Dane, the Golden Retriever, the Boxer and the Cocker Spaniel, are genetically prone to this disease. Symptoms of DCM include a decreased appetite, lethargy, coughing and collapse. Dogs displaying these signs should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. FDA’s investigation is specifically focusing on DCM and not canine heart disease as a whole.

What role does diet play in DCM?

The exact cause of recent reported incidents of DCM has not yet been identified, but genetic predisposition is known to be a highly contributing factor to DCM in dogs in general. It is possible that multiple factors play a role, including pet food formulation, ingredients, processing and individual pet physiology. One area that FDA is investigating is the possibility that ingredients and formulations in certain dog food recipes may play in the development of DCM in some dogs.

What are PFI members doing about this potential issue?

PFI members take seriously their commitment to provide safe pet food that delivers complete and balanced nutrition, and they welcome new information that can help them keep this commitment. Member company scientists, veterinarians and nutritionists are currently working closely with one another, ingredient suppliers and veterinarians to further advance the understanding of this issue.

What should I be feeding my dog now? Should I change what I am feeding my dog?

The first step you can take is to make sure your dog is receiving a complete and balanced diet that is formulated for his or her life stage. Our interactive infographic series “Nutrition from Nose to Tail” provides fast facts on why a complete and balanced dog food recipe is critical in supporting your pet’s health. If your pet does experience a change in health, it is important to consult with your veterinarian.

If you have questions about a specific product, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer to learn more. The FDA is also recommending that pet owners seek dietary advice from a trusted veterinarian, who knows your pet and can provide information tailored to their needs. FDA has not advised that pet owners change their dog’s diet based on the available information.

Is grain-free pet food safe for my pet?

Millions of dogs eat and are thriving on grain-free dog food. FDA’s investigation focuses on certain ingredients that figure more prominently in some pet food products labeled as grain-free, including legumes like peas or lentils, other legume seeds, and potatoes. FDA has not identified any established link between certain ingredients and incidents of DCM.

The exact cause of these cases of DCM is still unknown and may be the result of many factors, including a recipe formulation and processing, and your individual pet. If you have a question about your dog’s food, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer to learn more, and visit “Nutrition from Nose to Tail” to learn more about the nutrition in a dog food recipe.

Why may pet food makers use certain ingredients in dog food?

Pet food recipes that are formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition offer the essential nutrients that a pet requires for his or her specific life stage, and at the proper levels. The ingredients used in pet food will help to deliver those nutrients, and some ingredients may help deliver multiple nutrients. When developing a recipe, pet food makers consider many factors, such as an ingredient’s nutrient profile, its role in helping the food hold shape, flavor, digestibility and shopper preference.

Should I avoid certain ingredients or grain-free dog food as a whole?

The FDA stated in all three updates, including the most recent June update, that  the agency does not advise any dietary changes based solely on the information gathered so far.

Should I be concerned if my pet’s food contains one of the ingredients mentioned by the FDA?

FDA has not linked any specific pet food or ingredient to incidents of DCM and has not requested removing or recalling any pet food from the market. It is important to make sure the food you are feeding your pet is formulated to be complete and balanced for a pet’s life stage. If you have additional questions related to a specific ingredient we suggest reaching out to the pet food manufacturer. For concerns about your pet’s health, we recommend reaching out to your veterinarian.

Are pet food ingredients safe?

Yes. As makers of the sole source of nutrition for America’s pets, PFI members hold pet food safety as the number one priority. U.S. pet food makers use ingredients that have been accepted by the FDA, meet the agency’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) standard, or have been recognized by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For more information about how pet food and its ingredients are regulated, click here.

Updated June 28, 2019